St. Erasmus Bejeweled Delight
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 9:08 AM 
Image used with kind permission from St. Erasmus
We were delighted - this is an understatement - to finally learn more about the stunning statement necklace that First Lady Mrs. O wore with her magenta Michael Kors gown for the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The necklace is the work of St. Erasmus, a three-season-old UK based jewelry line, the brainchild of its designer, Pieter Erasmus.
The statement necklace is made of fresh-water-pearls, Swarovski crystal and Zari thread. Zari thread, we learned, is a fine gold or silver wire thread usually woven into Indian and Pakistani garments. The designer used the Zari thread to crochet intricate mesh that support the pearls and stones. The pink flower shape is indeed part of the necklace.
Mr. Erasmus is originally from South Africa, and cites Africa as a constant source of inspiration. This particular necklace, he explained, is from the Nizam story in his Spring Summer 2009 collection, which was inspired by the opulence of the Nizam's court in Hyderabad, India during the late 1700s.
In an email message, the designer said he was, "so delighted to see that Mrs. Obama is supporting fashion for creativity." Well, make that two of us!
St. Erasmus is carried at Harrods and other high-end boutiques overseas; in the US, it is carried exclusively at the Chicago boutique Ikram.
St. Erasmus in Outfits
Reader Comments (74)
Great photos I found from last night of the event, the family, and of the beautiful necklace above on Mrs. O at the Correspondents Dinner:
journals(dot)democraticunderground(dot)com/Jackeens_for_Obama
WOW, that is really an incredible necklace! Great work, Mrs. T!! So much ornate intricacy -- it has the extraordinary feel of being both Old World and thoroughly modern. Beautiful.
Mrs. T, you are a marvel. Thank you!
The components of their designs are lovely, but, personally I always think less is more.
You are quite the detective, Mrs. T!!! However, I must admit that this necklace is not my taste and looks like it tries too hard in my book. But I know many that would love it.
Thanks for your diligence, Mrs. T! The St. Erasmus link was great - wonderful resource for his jewelry, as well as other designers. I am definitely going to hunt down the shop where it is sold in London. I only recently started reading this site's comments and contributing, so forgive me if I am asking a question that everyone else knows the answer to. Am I right that Ikram Goldman is the unofficial stylist with whom MO works? Clearly Ikram knows MO's taste better than anyone (she has shopped there for years), and there is no way MO can be putting together this fabulous, and extensive "working" wardrobe on her own. Do we know of other possible stylists? Whoever is involved, it's wonderful to see this very public woman having fun with what she wears in every aspect of her life. I am loving it.
I would dispute very strongly that there is "no way MO can be putting together this fabulous, and extensive "working" wardrobe on her own".
I see no reason whatever why Mrs O can't be creating these great looks on her own. The woman has style and a decent budget, she has the assistance of a dedicated boutique owner who is committed to her customers and she has a great sense of what works for her body. She has time to surf the internet for clothes online. She has friends who are colleagues who also like to look great who know what's out there.
I don't know why people insist on behaving as if this can't be possible for Mrs O. It baffles me. While I appreciate that Michelle is hardly spending all her time shopping, she has a team of people helping her with the day-to-day that will free her up to do this stuff even more than she did when she was working full time and the only at home parent AND on campaign!
Ikram Goldman is not a stylist - official or unoffocial. All great boutiques look out for items that suit their clients and let them know what's in and source things that may interest them - this is not being a stylist, this is being a good buyer.
Please be clear that this is not me being stroppy but I think it is very important to keep the distinctions clear. And to keep any sensational or dramatic ideas from gaining currency.
Yikes! Sorry if I misspoke, but it never occurred to me that I was proposing anything sensational or dramatic. I agree that MO has fabulous taste and a decent budget. All I was saying is that a wardrobe like this is incredibly time consuming to put together (surfing the net doesn't do it), and I wondered if we knew if anyone other than Ikram had been given any credit for assisting her. Key word here is "assisting." And I know the difference between a stylist and a shop owner. Key word there was "unofficial."
Oh, wow, wow, wow! I looked at the website, and I LOVE that jewelry! And how wonderful that the line has "African roots."
Thanks, Mrs. T!
A fabulous necklace and the sort one would wear again and again as there is so much detail to see each time. It suits MO perfectly.
I have to agree with Posh Tater. It never occured to me that MO would suddenly acquire a stylist. She has great taste, a signature style and a wonderful figure. I admire her the most for wearing what she likes and continuing to wear items again and again just like us.
I. Need. This. Piece. Now. It reminds me of something that F Scott Fitzgerald's Daisy Buchanan would wear along with her flapper-inspired dresses. J'adore! :)
http://cafefashionista.blogspot.com
Darn, I typed another one of my SCINTILLATING comments, and it disappeared. I know you all are disappointed.
Anyway, I think that Ikram *is* a stylist for Mrs. O, and I don't think that's so unusual. it seems to me that Mrs. O, left to her own devices, would buy J.Crew, H&M, Talbots and some other brands like that. And we all love the "high-low" dressing style.
Ikram is the one who can source a show-stopper necklace, source a matching Kors gown, put it all together and maybe send some photos to Mrs. O saying "what do you think?" She's like a personal shopper. Nothing particularly wrong with that.
I just wonder if she borrowed that necklace or bought it. I have to think that it's on loan, just like some of her inaugural jewelry.
Thank you, Christina, for the scintillating comment which did appear! I was beginning to feel all alone out here. I don't know why anyone thought I was saying MO ad "suddenly" acquired a stylist. She and Ikram have worked together on her wardrobe for years, and as you said, Ikram can source all the disparate elements of every outfit (and there are a lot of elements in some of them!). BTW: the necklace MO wore is called Flower Power and it retails for about $400. Not an insignificant amount, but not a fortune. I hope MO bought it and that it turns up from time to time in unexpected ways - maybe with black crop pants and a white shirt on a Saturday night dinner date!
I LOVE this necklace even more, now that I see the incredible detail. Just so perfect with the Kors gown.
I think this is a perfect example of the fact that things don't always photograph as well as they may appear in person. I loved this necklace with the dress in the event photos, but I love it even more in this photo because I think the colors are much richer here and the intricacies of the design are more visible. Great find, Mrs. T, the fashion sleuth!
It would look FABulous with a white shirt.
I said that it is very important to be clear. I did not say that you in particular were being sensational or dramatic OperaFanatic. I said that it was important to take the drama out of everything and look at it with clarity. Newspapers and journalists can sneak in that direction and seeing as this blog has become a source or Mrs O related scrutiny, then I just think we have to be responsible. Is all. (And it's not my job to say that either. Mrs T can rap my knuckles in private if she deems it necessary!)
There have already been those who write about Ikram Goldman as a guru, a svengali, someone who dominates Mrs O's wardrobe choices. My point is that we cannot edge towards that at any point. Not even sideways!
You did not misspeak, and I'm very sorry I made you go "Yikes!" I didn't mean to be soooo very serious! But there is a tendency for small comments to grow into The Stuff Of Legend. And I think that Ms Goldman is a great great buyer for her clients. But I wouldn't dream of saying she was a stylist. It's my belief that Mrs O does do the mixing and matching herself, of the high end as well as the high street clothes. But that's also just my private thought.
I hope that pulls down what I said? I didn't mean to be weird.
Finding the right clothes/jewelry/accessories for a client is what a stylist DOES. Ikram has done this for Mrs. Obama for quite a while now. I don't know why the word "stylist" is so upsetting to people.
Love the necklace even more now that I can see the detail. At $400, it's very reasonably priced, too.
Christina, I'm not sure what you mean by "if she were left to her own devices" she'd shop those brands? Ikram owns a boutique, Michelle knows her precisely because she used to shop at her boutique, wouldn't that presume that Michelle had enough interest and knowledge in fashion to shop at Ikram's to begin with?
This notion that she somehow couldn't have been someone who was interested in or knowledgeable about high end fashion, unless it was somehow thrust upon her in her new role, is bizarre to me.
I do think that Ikram Goldman is Mrs.O's stylist. When you think about the sheer number of outfits that she has to wear out in public, and the variety of looks she puts together, much of it from designers that aren't really available on the internet, etc, it's clear that Ikram who, as a boutique owner, has an encyclopedic knowledge of current design, that facilitates this smashing wardrobe.
BUT, that doesn't mean that Michelle isn't uniquely responsible for her own look. I highly doubt Ikram said "Oh, the cardigan will be your signature... and also, wear lots of brooches and sleeveless sheaths. Oh, and here take this best and wrap it around your waist. And take this giant bow blouse with you when you go Europe!!"
It's a very specific look that Mrs. O has developed. She is someone who clearly has her own very unique taste. If you look at pictures of Michelle before her profile skyrocketed, she was always very stylish and very quirky. And no doubt Ikram was a great help then as well, since they have been friends a long time and she was able to learn what Michelle enjoys and dig up pieces that would suit her. So, I think Ikram has that same role but obviously on a greater scale.
No worries, Posh Tater. I appreciate your taking the time to write more. You were not weird! What is weird is the hoo ha some designers have made about Ikram, as if she's not only MO's guru, but has somehow closed MO's closet to everyone else. Ridiculous. If there is a garment or accessory deserving of MO's attention, she will find it and wear it no matter who designed it.
Okay - I gotta get off this website and get some work done! See ya'll later . . .
Oops! Typo. It's belt not best.
This is off topic somewhat but worth the read: Belts are in for fall 09. I don't always like Mrs. O in belts, but this references Mrs. O,so enjoy!
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/05/belts_slideshow.html
The word "stylist" seems to offend many or it seems to conjure up some kind of svengali-type image some of us don't like. I, for one, dislike the Hollywood-starlet-on- the-red -carpet implications of the word "stylist." Although I know that stylists do more creative work than that. They are often the un-sung force behind a particular look, trend, or even fashion movement. The best of them can create something that rises above the immediate event to touch some emotional chord in us, to say something beyond the clothes a person is wearing--something that speaks to us in a larger way.
That being said, I believe that Ikram Goldman is acting as a stylist for the First Lady--if you define a stylist as someone who is sorting through clothes, buying clothes, ordering clothes, placing special orders for clothes, picking accessories, picking and ordering jewelry, organizing outfits, and matching outfits to events. (I'm not really sure how else you would define a stylist, but since the word seems to rile some people up, I'm being very explicit here about what my definition is.)
Of course, I don't think Michelle Obama is being forced to wear anything she doesn't like. So no svengali issues here. Nor do I think that her considerations of color, style, etc. are not being added to the mix.
But I believe she has given Ikram the ability to pull together her clothes and accessories. After all, the First Lady and Ikram worked together on her wardrobe for a long time before the November election. So Ikram has long had a wonderful sense of what Michelle likes, dislikes, what works on her, what doesn't. And Michelle has a great sense of what Ikram can do--which is pull together a wonderful, individual look for each woman.
The First Lady's White House staff is not involved in fashion decisions, shopping, or anything like that. They are very busy running an active office that includes community outreach, working with military families, all the complex issues that Michelle has taken on. Several of those people are from Chicago and, believe me, they are hard-working great people who understand government, community organizing, press relations, and all kinds of things. But none of them is a fashion-oriented person. And they are not there for that.
I don't think it takes away from Michelle to say that she is letting someone organize her clothes, shop for her, or pull together outfits. I think it shows that she is smart enough to delegate when she needs to or when she wants to--with clothes or anything else.
Well said, Mrs. C!
Moja -- sorry if my comment came across like I was saying that Mrs. O doesn't know clothes. No veiled slam was intended.
I would suspect Mrs. O and Ikram work together. Ikram is not some svengali forcing Mrs. O to wear various outfits. But, I also don't think Mrs. O is surfing the net all day looking for different outfits; she's a busy woman and why *not* delegate a portion of that responsibility to a trusted advisor?
christina, i didn't mean to imply that your comment was some sort of veiled insult; i just literally wasn't sure what you meant about her sticking to those brands, since there hasn't been any indication (that i know of) that she always wore those mall brands before.
i imagine that mrs. obama is a woman who has long known what styles she favors, and which designers she likes; and knows how to put together an outfit that suits her life and personal taste. no doubt ikram knows her tastes since they've known each other for a while, and helps pull outfits and other pieces that she thinks mrs. o would enjoy, a bit like a personal shopper or shopping a look book. i think it's a bit ridiculous to assume though, that this means ikram tells mrs. o when to wear what, or exactly how to put her outfits together; like the woman can't get out of bed and decide for herself what she wants to wear on a given day, without checking notes or putting in a call to ikram to approve changes to a planned outfit; that would make the whole process rather insufferable.
Mrs. T - Thank you so much for tracking down the source of this unique, artistic creation! You must be the Sherlock Holmes of the fashion world. Thank you!
I am thrilled to know that this necklace's influence is even more artistic and exotic than I had imagined. What appeared to be small beads to me is actually the Zari thread, often used in Pakistan and India. I love that the designer is from South Africa. This eclectic combination of influences makes it uniquely interesting. I see that the shiny stuff in the bright flower that appeared to me to be sequins with tiny beads is actually a more solid mass of a shiny substance with the Zari thread crossing repeatedly in front of it. Is there any chance that with your detective talents you could find out what that shiny substance is? (I know you are very busy, so if this is asking too much, just know that I am so grateful for your finding all that you did.)
I think that $400 is quite affordable for this piece, (for someone with Michelle's budget.) (smile)
I really appreciated the informative and considerate discussion above about whether Michelle has a stylist, or if Ikram Goldman could be considered her stylist, etc. Thank you to those who took the time to post such well-written messages. This is what elevates this site and makes it so enjoyable. I am so enriched to be connected in this virtual way with so many women and men of substance. Yeah!
I know little of the fashion world and how it works, but I'm a quick learner with good instincts. This may be worth $ .02 (totally projection, since how can any of us know for sure?): My take on Mrs. O's modus operandi with her wardrobe is that Ikram Goldman knows what Mrs. O likes, knows her interest in looking for the unique, has the access and time to search for things for her, and offers them. She may even suggest that this might work with that, etc. But I really think that Mrs. O has shown that she has a mind of her own about most things, and I feel certain that she makes the final decisions about everything. (Actually, how could I be certain? I guess I just want to believe that.) I think all of us have agreed that sometimes Lady Michelle takes wonderful pieces and combines them in ways that don't always work to the best advantage of her or the pieces. But I love seeing her quirky and fun personality coming through those combinations. She is endlessly fascinating to watch.
Thank you all for being your lovely selves. I'm so impressed with the writing abilities of so many of you. You make my day!
Yikes again! I think all that has been said here on the stylist/no stylist thread just means the same thing.
Mrs Obama really does not have the time to plan IN DETAIL all of her wardrobe. And Ikram is probably someone Mrs. Obama can trust in getting things for her. I am pretty sure Mrs. Obama likes some of the things Ikram brings -- others Mrs. Obama might not like. This is no different than one of the high-end clothing specialits who will call on and off for fashion/trunk shows and will even set aside pieces for one's consideration. There is no difference between hair stylist, make-up artist and wardrobe consultant/fashion stylist. They all work for and with the costumer's style and desire. Everyone who is in such a position as the First Lady is, needs a stylist/fashion consultant/confidant!
I think I was literally just typing too fast, moja. When I thought to myself "what DID I mean by 'left to her own devices?' " I came up blank.
Anyway, I think this whole "stylist" thing plucks some nerves because it's been used but some critics to portray Michelle as being an out-of-touch, elitist, Marie Antoinette figure. It's left-over bitterness from the campaign.
I think then that people who like Michelle then respond that that no, she is "just like one of us," and then conversation starts to get heated.
I don't think of her as Marie Antoinette, but seriously: she has a staff. She lives in the White House. She has a lot of money. She's not exactly living like I do...AND THAT'S OKAY. I don't require her to dress in the latest fashions from Target just so that I can be convinced that she's just like me. Her actions will demonstrate her character.
Mrs. O is scheduled to be at a school of third graders in a couple of minutes. It is scheduled to air at 3:00 pm EST on cnn(dot)com/live. I'm be in my office with the door closed and the sound low. Shuush--don't tell anyone! LOL
I'm not sure why the suggestion that Mrs. O may use the services of a stylist would strike a nerve. Our wonderful First Lady is indeed a marvelous, multi-faceted woman; but she is alas a mere mortal, as fallible as all the rest of us mere mortals. I agree that she has great fashion sense; however, several have commented on the contrast between her earliest public photos and the fabulous shots we're seeing today. These alone are evidence that her fashion sense is evolving. And nearly every one of us has commented at least one time that we thought a certain outfit missed the mark. All of this says to me that she is in fact learning and growing as she goes. And I think that is to her credit!
Now if she's smart enough to enlist a little expert help and advice in that process, I'd say that's also to her credit--not in any way a sign of weakness, ignorance, or lack of personal taste. As several others have pointed out, she's a busy person who knows how to delegate. That's a strength, not a weakness.
I'm often told that I have good fashion sense, but I know that if I had Mrs. O's resources, I wouldn't hesitate one second to get all the help I could afford. None of us see ourselves as others see us; so even if we have a style and know what we like, sometimes another set of eyes helps us see things we missed. Sometimes just catching my reflection in a big window makes me think my choices are not working as well as I thought they would. Sometimes an outfit looks way better or worse in a photo than it did in person.
As long as no one is tying Mrs. O to a chair and forcing clothes on her, I think it goes without saying that the final choices are her own; but getting as much input as possible when making those choices is yet another sign that she's smart!
Ann, formerly known as Ms. G
Ann Remember how during the campaign, the president's ability to draw a crowd was turned into a negative, by folks saying that he was merely a celebrity? I think that's why some people resist the "stylist" thing -- because they don't want people thinking that Michelle Obama is an empty-headed celebrity who has to be told what to do by handlers.
But, just like I don't believe she's really out there weeding her garden, I doubt that she does 100 percent of her clothing shopping on her own.
It's funny how when you all agree that Mrs.O looks great, then someone MUST BE dressing her. But, when you don't particularly like what she has on, then of course she needs somebody to dress her.
Which is it?
Whoa! I can't see how such an innocent question got turned into this! Well said, Mrs. C! And OperaFanatic, yours was an honest and great question. As condescending as some people can be on this blog, soon, no one will ask anything!
In many profiles that I have seen on Ikram Goldman, she is referred to as someone who styles Mrs. Obama.
Who is "you all?"
Those two thoughts aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. A person could reasonably think "I like when Ikram picks out the clothes, but not when Mrs. O picks out her own." This is not an opinion I share, and of course, you'd have to be psychic to know which outfit is "Ikram approved" and which one isn't.
I think Ikram provides very dedicated personal shopping services. But Mrs. O's tastes are her own.
And honestly, I would describe Ikram as more than someone who owns a boutique that Michelle Obama shops at. It seems that almost 100% of the high end designers that Michelle wears are at Ikram's boutique, sometimes excolusively. I highly doubt that she wouldn't be able to find some of these high end items in Washington DC. If she still uses Ikram, who is all the way in Chicago, then Ikram must be providing more than boutique owner services. It seems that she has the eye and style to recommend pieces to Michelle because she has worked with her for a while and knows Michelle's style.
I seen a pic from her school visit just now at Yahoo news photos..and she looks great.
She's wearing at a purple polka dot dress (similar to the Jason Wu dress she wore in the white house kitchen visit)
Go check it out!
Britt, I believe it is the same Jason Wu dress from the kitchen event--a dark purple with white polka dots and pointed black kitten heels.
No Janelle the top of the dress is differnt than the "kitchen dress".
It's hard to tell from the far away pictures but I don't think this is the Jason Wu dress. The color is similar but not as saturated. this one seems much flowier and than that stiff party dress.
Waiting patiently for clearer pictures!
The kitchen event had BLACK polka-dots.
Lead D is right and this is a totally different dress. Also, I know Mrs O likes to get "down" on the same level with the kids but those small chairs make it awkward for her long legs.
Mrs. A, Mrs. O has worn plenty of designers that aren't stocked at Ikram's, and apparently Ikram acts as the go between for those selections as well. yeah she could get some of those designers' pieces in DC, but perhaps she also just doesn't want to bother with finding a new buyer whose taste and discretion she trusts in a new city. I agree that Ikram provides her with advice that she trusts; but even if Ikram doesn't act as some sort of uber stylist to Mrs. O, maybe sticking with what she knows just feels easier to her.
It's great to see the details in this necklace. It's a shame, though, that the color in this photo doesn't show the vibrancy that pops out in the Michelle pix.
Aw... the poor designer's site is overloaded! He must be getting tons of new traffic and good for him.
I join the chorus of commenters who believe that it is a necessity of the role of First Lady to have a stylist. There are only so many hours in the day! The necklace is one of Mrs Obamba's misses, I fear, but mostly she has hits so a bit of experimenting is commendable. I do feel that she should change course and pay for her clothes and accessories rather than accepting freebies (see Jason Wu's comment about not being offered payment.) Mrs Obama is a multi-millionaire and should finance her own wardrobe (extensive and beautiful as it is), especailly in these hard times.
Bev @ 6:19 Mrs. Obama pays for all of her own clothes. Jason Wu was not paid for the inaugural gown because it was considered a donation to the Smithsonian, where it will live on forever. I'll bet the money he'll make simply because Mrs. O put him on the map will pay for that dress many times over.
I'm thinking that the shiny substance that makes up the flower in the necklace might just be colored glass - or mirrored colored glass. Where each petal meets it's neighbor and the round center, there is a small ball of deep color, for a total of eight. It would be interesting to know what they are, too.
See Huff post article on Michelle and Ikram:
www(dot)huffingtonpost(dot)com/mandi-norwood/michelle-obamas-secret-st_b_195711(dot)html
@ Willow. This is a quick reply to your comment on an earlier thread. Don't have much time and don't want to reprise that discussion, but I understood what you meant by "moving slowly." I think Mrs. O clearly understands about dressing for different audiences, so this won't be a problem.
However, many people who work in Washington, and most First Families, have lived there as though the city's majority population didn't exist and, as a result, it almost disappeared from consciousness. I think that, by reaching out to the surrounding community, the Obamas are inevitably producing images that may be discomfiting to some but that will hopefully become customary. I am sure this is a highly calibrated political and cultural decision.